ACA Counseling Corner Blog

We all face daily challenges in today's complicated and demanding world. ACA’s Counseling Corner Blog offers thoughtful ideas, suggestions, and strategies for helping you to live a happier and healthier life.

Columns can be reprinted in full or in part with attribution to the American Counseling Association’s Counseling Corner Blog.

May 02, 2018

Let's Get Your Mind Back In Shape | Find Fitness #4Mind4Body with a #CounselorsHelp

It's easy to think about getting that old body back in shape.... but it can be a lot harder to get out there and actually do it. Yet staying physically fit is important in a variety of ways, and that idea of being fit is one that you also want to apply to your mental health.

While most of us see staying physically fit as a great goal, too many of us ignore the idea that we also need to be mentally fit. And just as you can exercise your muscles to get in better physical shape, there are things you can do to reduce stress and get your feelings and attitudes into better shape.

One starting point for shaping up your mental health is simply to make some time for yourself. It's easy in today's busy world to find yourself buried in work, family issues and social obligations, leaving little or no time for yourself.

An easy fix to that is to create a daily schedule that includes a time slot for "you." Actually schedule a time each day when you can do one thing that you find relaxing or enjoyable, then stick to that schedule. When it's "you" time, pick up a book or take that walk and leave the stress behind.

You can also improve mental well-being by doing things outside yourself. When you give something back to others, it can offer a meaningful escape from your own problems while also providing a sense of fulfillment and self-worth that's essential for good mental health. Look for volunteer opportunities with community, civic or religious groups that will give you a chance to do some good for others.

And yes, staying physically active and fit also plays a role in improved mental health. Studies have found, for example, that exercise is a great way to fight depression. And as we get ourselves into better shape we begin to feel more confident about how we look and what we can do -- feelings that add up to good mental health.

Just as those extra pounds from those wonderful cookies are not going to disappear like magic, reducing stress and eliminating problems also takes effort to keep those issues under control. But when you build a little relaxation into your life, reach out to help others, and stay physically fit, you'll find mental health improving, making it easier to cope with the challenges of everyday life.